Striving for Positive Aging Among Chinese Older People: Effects of Life Stress and Control Beliefs in a Longitudinal Study

Abstract

We examined effects of life stress and control beliefs on a constellation of subjective indicators of well-being for older people, including meaning in life, happiness, peace of mind, and positive aging perception. The Chinese cultural background provided the sociocultural milieu for the present study. In a longitudinal study, 301 older Chinese adults completed a questionnaire survey twice, 6 months apart. Regression analyses found that stress caused by major life-changing events (acute) and financial hardship (chronic) were consistent negative predictors of all well-being indicators. Furthermore, primary control belief (tenacious goal pursuit) amplified the negative impacts of life events on happiness and peace of mind. Secondary control belief (submitting to circumstances), in contrast, acted as a buffer that alleviated the deleterious effects of financial hardship on peace of mind and meaning in life. Noting the threats of unfavorable life circumstances and the potency of secondary control belief for older Chinese people, theoretical and cultural implications were discussed.